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Mitchell’s WWE Monday Night Raw Live Report! (3/19/18)

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All images courtesy of the WWE’s official Twitter

 

OFFICIAL RESULTS

  • Asuka VS Alexa Bliss w/ Mickie James; Asuka wins, by count out.
  • Braun Strowman VS ???; Strowman wins.
  • The Revival VS Titus Worldwide w/ Dana Brooke; The Revival wins.
  • Absolution w/ Paige VS Sasha Banks & Bayley; Absolution wins.
  • Six Man Tag: The Miztourage VS The Balor Club; Balor Club wins.
  • ULTIMATE DELETION: WOKEN Matt Hardy VS Bray Wyatt; Hardy wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Raw General Manager, Kurt Angle, heads to the ring.

The Olympic Gold Medalist welcomes Dallas to the show, and says that he has some bad news. Roman Reigns is still suspended from last week, so he will not be here tonight. Brock Lesnar is also not here yet, but Vince McMahon promises that Lesnar will appear. Angle moves on to the Raw Tag Team Championship Battle Royal, and how Braun Strowman entered and won, despite having no tag team partner. Therefore, Angle promises to figure out the situation. But before he can explain, Roman Reigns does appear!

The Big Dog walks to the ring from the crowd, despite being suspended. Fans are thunderous both ways for the Universal Champion’s #1 contender. Angle asks what Roman is doing “trespassing”. Roman doesn’t care, because Brock wasn’t here week after week, so someone has to represent the main event. Angle says Brock will be here, but Roman wonders where. All these promises but nothing. Lesnar is just running late. Roman is upset, Angle knows, but they can’t do that in here. But Roman got suspended for what? Telling the truth!? Angle wants Roman to understand that while Lesnar doesn’t show up and Roman wants to get his hands on him, Roman will still get him in three weeks. Roman just has to be patient.

Angle promises it will happen. Roman understands, but he still doesn’t care. They’re in Dallas, Texas, and he has a bunch of memories here, but he won’t leave until he makes one more. Angle needs to go tell whoever is back there to bring Lesnar out, tonight. With that, Angle heads to the back, Roman waiting with a chair in hand. But instead of Lesnar coming out, U.S. Marshals come out, and enter the ring to arrest Roman.

They even read him his rights. Roman doesn’t resist, he lets them put on the cuffs. He then walks with them but takes offense to them grabbing him by the arm. They try to force him to move, and he fights back! Even with cuffs on, he fights off the three marshals, and stomps a mudhole into one! That’s when The Beast appears! Roman tries to use the chair, but Lesnar evades, German Suplexes, and SMACKS Roman with that chair! All the while, Paul Heyman lifts up the title belt to signify Lesnar’s victory. Then a second German Suplex, and Lesnar looms over Reigns, chair in hand. The referees try to stop Lesnar, but he gives one more SMACK to Roman with the chair.

The Big Dog is vulnerable, and takes a third German Suplex! Fans are still a raucous mix as Lesnar SMACKS Roman a third time, then a fourth time, with the chair. Lesnar says, “Suplex City, Bitch!” before he and his Advocate take their leave to a chorus of boos. The referees finally check on Roman, but Lesnar returns! A fifthsixth, and even seventh chair shot before a fourth German Suplex. Lesnar laughs, and now “the reigning, defending, undisputed” champion leaves. Never mind, he returns to finish Roman with the F5!! And Lesnar roars in victory.

Now Lesnar leaves, having done enough. Medical personnel arrive with a stretcher and strap Roman in while anti-Roman fans chant “You Deserve It!” They move Roman from ring to ramp, but Lesnar returns?! And he shoves Roman’s stretcher over!! The Beast laughs and grins again, then drags the stretcher and Roman around. Roman is in agony but Lesnar leaves, feeling triumphant. Wrestlemania is weeks away, but can Roman hope to recover and seek revenge on The Beast?

 

Roman Reigns finally makes it to an ambulance.

With things having calmed down, medical professionals can finally get the #1 contender out of the building. Will Roman be able to recover in time for Wrestlemania?

 

Raw looks back to last week.

Asuka wanted to explain her choosing Charlotte Flair over Alexa Bliss, but Alexa Bliss interrupted. The Goddess spins it as Asuka is afraid to lose to Alexa, but the Empress set it straight: “I beat you once, I can beat you again, right now!” But instead of Alexa fighting for herself, she hoped Nia Jax would take her place. Nia chose not to, and Mickie James tried but took a loss at the hands of Asuka.

Alexa found Nia and assured her they were best friends. Nia destroyed Joan King, but then found out the truth about The Goddess: she was manipulating Nia the entire time. “Just like high school.” Nia flew into a rage, and Alexa ran for her life. The Irresistible Force wants to destroy Alexa Bliss once and for all, will she get her hands on the Raw Women’s Champion tonight?

 

Asuka VS Alexa Bliss w/ Mickie James!

The Goddess has really put herself in a bad situation. She was safe from The Empress, since Asuka’s headed to SmackDown to take on the Queen of Flair. But then her ego got the better of her, and she mouthed off about the wrong woman. If Alexa doesn’t get beat up too badly against Asuka, will Nia Jax be there to finish the job?

Before the match, Alexa wishes to speak. “I get it, you’re right. Last week, I said some things about my best friend” that were very hurtful and wrong. Alexa claims it was all joking, that it was “girl talk.” She admits she got carried away, and can only say, “I’m sorry.” The fans boo, not believing this apology. She apologizes that she didn’t say it sooner! Even “sorry” felt wrong. Alexa doesn’t feel bad at all about what she said. Nia was humiliated in front of the world, and Alexa loves it. Alexa admits she used Nia. Does anyone think someone like Alexa would be friends with someone like Nia? But Alexa does feel better finally lifting that weight of “sad pathetic loser” known as Nia. Mickie cracks up but the fans boo and jeer. Alexa says that she’ll do what no one else has: end Asuka’s undefeated streak.

Asuka makes her entrance at this moment, and the match begins, after the break.

Raw returns to the match in progress, and Alexa slams Asuka’s face into the mat. She drags Asuka to the ropes to bend her back against the ropes, but lets go at 4. Asuka hits back but Alexa slaps harder. She brings Asuka up and back to ropes to push her against them. Alexa backs off but Mickie claws at Asuka. Mickie gets back and Alexa stomps a mudhole into Asuka before throwing her out. Mickie gets another cheap shot in, then Alexa fetches Asuka to bump her off the apron. Alexa taunts Asuka and her fans before bumping her again. They return in the ring, Alexa covers, ONE. Alexa puts Asuka in the chinlock, but fans rally for The Empress! Asuka gets up, fights back, then sweeps but Alexa hops over to dropkick Asuka. Cover, TWO, and Alexa grows frustrated.

Alexa bumps Asuka’s face off the mat again, then drags her up into a chinlock. Asuka endures the new squeeze while fans rally again. She fights out but Alexa knees low. Alexa goes to throw Asuka out but Asuka turns that around to snap Alexa off the ropes. Asuka runs, evades, and hip attacks Alexa down! Alexa gets to a corner but gets another hip attack, then a strike fest and pop-up knee! Asuka runs again, shining wizard! Cover, TWO! Asuka fires up while Alexa gets to a corner. Alexa evades but Asuka kicks back. Asuka hops up, takes aim, but Mickie distracts. Mickie runs when Asuka swings on her, but Alexa pounces with that rocking right forearm! Alexa then kicks Asuka out of the ring and to the floor, where Mickie gets yet another cheap shot in.

Alexa takes a moment to catch her breath before bringing Asuka in for a cover, TWO! She puts Asuka in another chinlock, but fans  don’t give up on Asuka! Asuka feeds off that energy and fights out, throwing Alexa down. Asuka unloads kicks, but Alexa kicks back, then rains down hands. Cover, ONE, so Alexa throws Asuka out one more time while we go to break.

Raw returns to Alexa literally walking on Asuka to get to the corner. Alexa climbs up, but Asuka stops her with a right hand! Asuka climbs up to join Alexa, but Alexa resists. Alexa headbutts Asuka off, then hops over to sunset flip powerbomb!

TWO!! And The Goddess throws a tantrum. She drags Asuka up, bends her back with the choke hold, but then Asuka gets free, only to end up in the neckbreaker anyway. Alexa tries Insult2Injury but misses the latter, Asuka hits the hip attack! Cover, TWO, but Asuka doesn’t lose focus. She fires up and brings Alexa up, going for her Lock. Alexa slips under, Asuka sits on her, TWO, into an Ankle Lock! Alexa reaches for ropes but can’t get hold, so she rolls, only for Asuka to keep that grip! The referee keeps Mickie from helping, but Alexa still gets the ropebreak. Asuka lets go and Alexa regroups with Mickie. The referee keeps Asuka back to start a count. Mickie grabs the belt and helps Alexa up, they’re retreating! The count hits 10, the Streak lives on as Asuka wins.

However, Alexa can’t get away as NIA JAX appears! Nia runs Mickie right over, and chases the not so hurt Alexa around the ring! She grabs Alexa at the barriers, Mickie saves Alexa but gets thrown into the LEDs face first for it.

Nia shrieks but Alexa retreats, so Nia keeps chasing, all the way into the back! Will the Goddess have to face the wrath of this titan down the line?

 

Alexa Bliss visits Kurt Angle.

Nia is out of control! Suspend her! No, arrest her! Angle’s had enough arrests and people telling him what to do. He saw what Nia did, and knows what Alexa said last week, as do many other people around the world. The Women’s Champion should be a role model. This is what Angle will do about Nia: she gets a title match against Alexa, at Wrestlemania. Things went from bad to worse for The Goddess. Will her Wrestlemania Moment be her demise?

 

Braun Strowman heads to the ring!

The Monster Among Men knows that he won the Raw Tag Team Battle Royal by himself. Strowman has not a road, but a Path of Destruction to Wrestlemania. However, as it is a tag team match, he must have a tag team partner. Strowman feels he doesn’t need one, he can win the titles by himself. However, The Bar appear to respond.

“Hey Braun, you need to hold on a second there, fella.” He’s insane thinking he can win 2v1. Yes, he won the battle royal, by himself, but throwing people around is different from defeating “the greatest tag team in the history of the WWE.” But since teaming is hard for Strowman, Cesaro explains that it takes months of working together, working out together, traveling together, sleeping together. Er… “Oh grow up, he means room together.” But the point is, The Bar optimizes everything to be the best. Strowman could get Black Panther, Captain America, or even Jerry Jones, he won’t stand a chance at Wrestlemania. Sheamus & Cesaro will walk in and walk out still Raw Tag Team Champions, because–

“Would you two shut the hell up!?” How dare Strowman say that to them! Sheamus & Cesaro have beaten every team on Raw, Strowman and his partner won’t change that. What Lesnar did to Roman is nothing compared to what The Bar do to Strowman’s team. Well Strowman has two things The Bar need to worry about: Strowman has his partner, and that Strowman gets a match against one of them right now! Who wants to #GetTheseHands?!

Braun Strowman VS ???

The Celtic Gladiator and Swiss Cyborg both shed their entrance gear and both get on the apron. They both enter the ring, but Sheamus slips right out! Seems it’s Cesaro taking on Strowman.

The bell rings and Strowman throws Cesaro to a corner to then whip him into the same corner. Sheamus coaches Cesaro on but Strowman whips him corner to corner to flatten him. Strowman whips Cesaro again, Cesaro tumbles all the way out of the ring! The Monster roars while we go to break.

Raw returns to Strowman bumping Cesaro off buckles, but Cesaro jumps on him for a sleeper. Strowman repeats the bump but Cesaro boots back a couple times, and even another. He gives a European Uppercut, then a hotshot to Strowman’s arm. Sheamus coaches Cesaro as he keeps on Strowman, but that suplex isn’t going to work. Strowman lifts Cesaro, but Cesaro slips out to dump Strowman out. Cesaro kicks Strowman, then runs to wrecking ball Strowman to barriers! Strowman picks Cesaro up to flapjack him off the barriers in return! Sheamus distracts, but backs down as Strowman walks over. The fans rally, but Cesaro flies in, only to get a spinebuster into barriers! Strowman tosses Cesaro into the ring, and stalks him to a corner. He runs in, but Cesaro dodges to send Strowman into post!

Cesaro dropkicks Strowman deeper into the post, then drags him up for EuroUpper after EuroUpper. He kicks Strowman and prepares the Neutralizer, but Strowman picks him up to throw him out.

Cesaro returns for the hotshot, then runs for a springboard flying EuroUpper! Cover, TWO, and Cesaro is shocked. Sheamus rallies for Cesaro while Cesaro brings Strowman up again. Strowman throws Cesaro off with a back body drop, Cesaro tries the springboard, but flies into Strowman’s punch. Strowman flattens Cesaro in the corner again, but Sheamus distracts. Cesaro slips out and regroups with Sheamus, so Strowman slips out and runs over, only to run Sheamus over instead! Strowman returns into the ring and runs at Cesaro, but misses again. Cesaro tries the roll up but Strowman brings him up. Another EuroUpper, then more boots, Cesaro flies into Strowman’s arms, and the Monster Slam! Strowman wins! The Monster Among Men did it alone once again, how will things go when he has that partner by his side?

 

The WOKEN Wisdom speaks from the Hardy Family Compound.

Matt Hardy invites the WWE Universe to witness and document the events of tonight. His beautiful wife, Queen Rebecca, plays the piano while King Maxwell and Lord Wolfgang look on. Hardy does this for his progeny, including ridding this plane of “the dastardly” Bray Wyatt. Vanguard One, go on patrol to keep an eye out for the Consumer of Terrestrial Entities. Senor Benjamin prepares the battlefield for… ANNIHILATION~! Will Ultimate Deletion bring an end to the eternal Great War?

 

The Revival VS Titus Worldwide w/ Dana Brooke!

While neither team won the #1 contender battle royal, they still want to climb the ladder towards the top of the Raw Tag Team Division. Will Dash & Dawson #SayYeah or will the Real Deal and Apollo #MakeItaWin?

Dash starts with Titus and chops him in a corner. Titus brushes that off to throw and chop Dash back. Dawson comes over but Titus brings him in for a chop. Titus goes to slam Dawson but Dash dropkicks him from behind. Dash throws hands, then tags in Dawson to be a human weapon, leg drop!

Dawson covers, ONE, but Dawson keeps on Titus with hard hands to the head. He stomps a mudhole into Titus, then tags in Dash, so they can mug Titus together. Dash taunts Apollo while stomping Titus, then tags Dawson back in. Titus keeps them from splitting the wishbone, tag to Apollo! Apollo rallies on the #TopGuys, dropkick for them both! He hits Dawson with the leaping lariat and kip-up to standing moonsault. TWO, but Apollo keeps his cool. Dash distracts, Dawson pounces with a right forearm, but Apollo gives them back.

Dawson tries a backslide, but Apollo dropkicks Dash to slip out then roll Dawson, TWO! Apollo drags Dawson up but Dash trips up Titus. Titus grabs Dash but is rammed into the apron! Apollo slingshots onto Dash, then knocks Dawson away with a forearm. Apollo climbs, flies, crossbody but roll through, TWO! Enziguri rocks Dawson, but as Apollo lifts, Dash tags in. Dash comes in, Apollo is 2v1, whip and SHATTER MACHINE! Cover, The Revival win! The Revival out maneuvers Titus Worldwide, will they be able to get a title match after Wrestlemania?

In-ring interview with The Revival.

With The Bar going up against Strowman’s team, what is their path to Wrestlemania? That’s a good question, because no other tag team is more qualified than them to be contenders. Strowman came into their world, now the Revival will enter his. They both declare for the Andre the Giant Battle Royal, and vow to be the first tag team to win it. Can Dash & Dawson get a Wrestlemania Moment in something not related to tag teaming?

 

WWE announces the next 2018 Hall of Fame inductee: Mark Henry!

The World’s Strongest Man came from the small town of Silsbee, Texas, went on to be an Olympic weight lifter, and then a fast-rising WWE superstar. He was also “Sexual Chocolate”, as he could be as smooth and romantic as he could be athletic and dominant. Then, after time away, he would return to create his Hall of Pain, dominating and destroying superstar after superstar. He is also an International Sports Hall of Fame inductee, and would become an Ambassador for the WWE in many facets. Now the Hall of Pain shall be immortalized in the Hall of Fame!

 

Absolution w/ Paige VS Sasha Banks & Bayley!

While the Glampire’s Gladiator & God’s Greatest Creation are a united front ready to take on any one, the Legit Boss and Huggable One have been up and down in their friendship as of late. Can Bayley & Banks hold it together long enough to win? Or will their bond break under the pressure?

However, Sasha wishes to speak before the match begins. When you have a problem to someone, you don’t walk away or talk behind their back, you do it face to face. Sasha says Bayley is still her best friend, and she wants to fix things. She knows she hurt Bayley’s feelings in two different “every woman for herself” matches, but that’s how it goes. It wasn’t about their friendship, it’s about winning titles. Bayley didn’t win anything when she ditched her in a tag match or walked away last week. They’re even, two and two, so as “sisters”, Sasha forgives Bayley. Sasha offers a handshake, but Bayley declines in order to respond.

“The night after Elimination Chamber”, Bayley was angry and acted impulsively. There was nothing lost when Bayley did those things, but she can’t get over any of it. It’s not about what Sasha did, but how. They know each other so well, and yes, Sasha does whatever is needed, but “the look on your face after you did it”, from the glare to the smirk, it ate away at Bayley. Sasha literally kicked Bayley down and watched her fall, smiling. “I can’t get that picture out of my head.” If they’re friends, then why was knocking her down so easy? Absolution makes their entrance, and Paige adds on.

Paige “apologizes” for interrupting if they’re trying to work something out, but it’s time for a match. Absolution will show you how real women settle scores. Everyone gathers in the ring, and we start with Sasha and Sonya. Sonya lunges in but Sasha puts her in a corner for shoulders. Sasha backs off, dodges, and slaps Sonya before putting her back in the corner. Sonya dodges and sucker punches Bayley, to then throw Sasha out to join her. Absolution enjoys controlling the ring while we go to break.

Raw returns again, to Mandy with Bayley in a chinlock. The fans rally for Bayley, and she fights her way up and out. Mandy puts her in a corner but Bayley turns it around to bump and bump Mandy off buckles.

Bayley lets up at 4, then gives one last bump to knock Mandy down. Cover, TWO, Bayley runs for the sliding elbow and then lariat. Bayley covers again, ONE, but Bayley keeps on her. She runs, Sasha tags, elbow drop and Sasha pushes Bayley aside for the cover, ONE. The tension grows again, but Bayley lets Sasha give double knees. Mandy dodges the second time, and throws Sasha down. Cover, TWO, but Mandy tags in Sonya and Absolution stomps a mudhole into Sasha together.

Sonya embraces the heat, then toys with Sasha. She sits Sasha up for the sliding knee to the back, cover, TWO. Sonya drags Sasha up into the bodyscissors squeeze, taunting Sasha to reach for anything. Sonya rolls Sasha but fans rally for Sasha. Sasha gets up with Sonya on her back, and snapmares Sonya off, only to get picked up and slammed!

Cover, TWO, but Absolution keeps calm. Sonya kicks Sasha, tags in Mandy, and then brings Sasha up to feed her to Mandy’s golden knee! Cover, TWO! Mandy rains rights on Sasha, then covers, TWO. Mandy wrenches Sasha’s arm, and puts her in a cross between Abdominal and Octopus. The fans rally again, and Sasha pops out to hip-toss Mandy down. Mandy dropkicks Sasha right back, then isolates her to tag in Sonya. Absolution mugs Sasha in the corner, Mandy tags back in, and the isolation continues.

Sasha fights her way out, then crawls for Bayley. She’s almost there, but Sonya pounces. Sasha fights back, knee counter, and Bayley tags in! Bayley rallies on Sonya! She puts Sonya in a corner for a mudhole stomp of her own, then throws her to the apron for the hotshot. She keeps going, saido suplex and the back elbow. Bayley climbs up, flies for the elbow, then covers,. Mandy breaks the cover, but Sasha is right on her! The referee is busy with them, so he doesn’t see the backslide! He’s late to it, ONE, and Sasha won’ts top fighting Mandy. Bayley tells Sasha to get her head into things, but Mandy comes in, they both elbow her down. Sonya pounces while they argue, and rocks Bayley with a roundhouse! Sonya covers, Absolution wins! The “friendship” just cost them a win, will they ever get things figured out?

 

JOHN CENA is here!

Dallas sings “John Cena Sucks~!” for The Face that Runs the Place as he heads down to the ring. “This is not your typical Monday Night Raw”, because “everything is bigger in Texas.” Cena challenged The Undertaker last week, and it’s either “Yes or No.” Now we all find out what the answer is! Cena is still amazed at how long Taker is hiding from embarrassment. But Taker thinks we think he no longer belongs. “That is absolutely ridiculous. As long as there is a WWE, the name ‘Undertaker’ has meaning!” Cena has asked around the world, and we all saw an audience brought to their feet at the mere mention of the name. How does Dallas feel about it? They cheer, and chant “YES! YES!” for the possible match. Well, hearing is the first thing to go, so be louder! And Dallas gets louder!

Cena says “hold on to your seats”, because the response to the Wrestlemania challenge is: nothing but silence. Neither yes nor no, just nothing. “And that is the biggest mistake the Undertaker has ever made.” Cena meant it when he said it, he’ll go as just a fan. But for Taker not getting up to give an answer is disrespectful! Not just to Cena, but to the WWE Universe, and to every person who has ever cheered for Undertaker’s name, to those who followed and believed and loved his Streak. He went from over-sized mortician to a wrestling god, because of the fans! So after hearing all that, he can’t tell the fans if it’s yes or no? Fans chant “We Want Taker!”.

Cena wants Taker to at least say “no” so we’ll know he’s retired. Or say “yes” and give us what we want! Instead, Taker drowns in his insecurity. He’s no wrestling god, just a man. And that man is a coward. “The Undertaker is a coward!”

Cena begs Taker to prove him wrong to at least give him “Yes”, “No”, or some of that stupid cheesy stuff with smoke and lightning, just something more than nothing. Cena waits for any of that, and the fans chant “Do Something!” Yet, nothing. “There it is. The exact moment you let everyone down who ever believed in you.” Undertaker is no god, and barely a man. However, Kane appears!

The Big Red Machine, and brother to the Phenom, enters the ring to stand across from Cena. This is a sign, isn’t it?! He is here to give Taker’s response! Is it “yes” or “no”? Cena and the fans wait for Kane to speak, hoping that it’s “YES! YES!” but Kane just grabs Cena to CHOKE SLAM HIM!! But, what does that mean?!

 

WOKEN Hardy consulted the spirit of George Washington.

Who else to ask about strategy than the great general who won America its independence? However, George is in the body of a giraffe… Assuming Hardy understood his old confidant, will the advice the Founding Father of America gave him help him DELETE Bray Wyatt and Sister Abigail?

 

Six Man Tag: The Miztourage VS The Balor Club!

The Intercontinental Champion will face The Extraordinary Man, as well as The Architect, in a Triple Threat for the title at Wrestlemania. As for right now, he leads Bo Dallas & Curt Axel into battle against Finn and his Good Brothers in a full-on fight of factions. Will The Miz gain momentum back towards his major championship defense? Or will Finn keep things #TooSweet?

Miz rants about being snubbed from the Wrestlemania advertisements, including the Wrestlemania magazine! The World champion and Universal champion are on the cover, and are in singles matches, but Miz is shown no respect! Worse yet, Miz wants to know if he’s “the bad guy”, and everyone says “YES! YES!” What? Just because fans literally buying into the hype, Rollins and Finn are somehow the heroes? No, they’re just liars! Finn and Rollins are at each other’s throats, and Miz promises to push “Tyler Black” and “Prince Devitt” back to the bingo halls! He will take respect from everyone when he becomes the longest reigning Intercontinental Champion ever! However, no respect is shown by The Good Brothers or “Prince Devitt” as they make their entrance.

However, Seth Rollins also appears? The Architect won’t be left out of things, he wants on commentary!

Raw returns to the match underway. Gallows rocks Axel with an uppercut and covers, TWO. Tag to Finn, and he hits a falling ax handle. He puts Axel in a corner and chops, then corner to corner whip for a running chop. Finn whips again, Axel boots him away, then tags to Bo. Finn arm-drags Bo around then wrenches the arm. The fans cheer for Finn but Bo powers him to the Miztourage corner. Miz tags in and throws hands on Finn, but Finn hits back. Miz reverses the whip and runs Finn over, then rains left hands. The A-Lister brings Finn up and into his corner to ram in shoulders before tagging to Axel. Axel snapmares and neck snaps Finn, then covers, TWO. Axel keeps on Finn with a chinlock, but Finn stands up, only for Axel to wrangle him back down.

Finn endures and stands up again, to reach for his corner. Axel knees low, then brings Finn up for a powerbomb, but Finn body drops. Axel sunsets, Finn rolls through and dropkicks Axel. Bo comes in to stop Finn from tagging out, to whip and clothesline him in the Miztourage corner. Bo stomps and stomps, then Miz gets a cheap shot. Axel tags in while Bo adds more stomps, then they mock Finn’s entrance pose. Finn fights back, hitting everyone, but Axel puts him in an open corner. Finn dodges and hot tag to the Machine Gun! Karl Anderson rallies on Axel, whip reversed but the dropkick hits. Anderson takes out Bo and Miz then jump kicks Axel. He hops up, takes aim, flying neckbreaker!

Cover, TWO, but Anderson is ready. he knocks Bo down, then climbs up to fly again, crossbody hits! Cover, TWO, but Anderson fires up. He runs into Axel’s back elbow, Axel tags Miz, Miz hits the low DDT! Cover, TWO, and we go to break.

Raw returns again, and both Axel and Anderson are dazed. Anderson gives Axel a spinebuster, then crawls for his corner. Hot tag to Finn and Bo, and Finn rallies! He sweeps the legs and double stomps on Bo, but Bo rolls away. Axel comes in but Finn sends him out, to then FLY on The Miztourage! Finn flexes before putting Bo in the ring, then climbs up top. He takes aim but Miz distracts the ref, Axel shoves Finn down. Bo tags in Miz, and Miz goes after Finn. Finn rolls through the Finale, TWO, but has to fight out again. He hits Axel down, Miz rolls up, TWO and Miz goes into Axel. Finn rolls Miz, Balor Club wins!

But then Miz attacks anyway, with Miztourage in tow. The Good Brothers are kept out while Miz grinds a boot into Finn’s throat. Bo and Axel finish off Anderson & Gallows, that prompts Rollins to hurry over! He runs Bo and Axel over, then gets Miz with a mule kick and CURB STOMP!

The Architect stands over the champion, but so does Finn. Rollins says he’s going to win the Intercontinental Championship, will he become a Grand Slam Champion at Wrestlemania?

 

WOKEN Hardy rides Skaasgaard.

They sail across the Lake of Reincarnation as Hardy awaits Bray Wyatt’s arrival. The Great War is moments away, who will return to the real world the winner?

 

Raw takes a look at “Rowdy” Ronda Rousey’s training.

Kurt Angle saw first hand how tough and talented Ronda is, “it’s true, it’s damn true.” Ronda wants respect, and desires the respect of those she respects. She does something to be the best at it, and that didn’t stop with the gold medal in judo. She struggled for a long time after that, but was fortunate to find Women’s MMA. Ronda became the most dominant woman in fight sports, and only says she’s the best because she’s proven she’s the best. Though, there then came a time that she wasn’t the best. Ronda remembers back thinking, “God hates me.” She felt empty, but her husband was there for her. He told her she isn’t just a fighter, she can be more.

And that’s when she arrived in the WWE. “It’s all led to this”, and only now does she see everything was for this moment. Ronda is living a dream, but Stephanie McMahon and Triple H are trying to hold that down. Love her or hate her, people watch Ronda. She knows there’s pressure, but she thrives on that. Olympic gold to UFC championship, to the WWE, “Rowdy” Rousey is ready for Wrestlemania! How will Ronda rock the world when she debuts on the Grandest Stage of Them All?

 

ULTIMATE DELETION!

Bray Wyatt leaves his swamp behind to arrive at the Hardy Compound. He approaches the gate, and it opens for him. Bray grins as he enters, and Vanguard One is there to identify him.

Hardy’s hologram greets Bray, and asks he “follow the music.” Vanguard One flies away, and a piano plays. Bray follows the sounds through the forest, and comes upon Hardy, Reby, and a ring. Hardy knew he’d come. The Great War will continue after the break.

The Freshness of Monday Nights returns, and the Consumer of Terrestrial Entities stands across from the WOKEN Wisdom. The bell rings, and this is made official. Hardy and Bray circle, each laughing in their own way. “Enough!” No more laughter, there is only combat! Bray pushes Matt to a corner, but Vanguard goes into attack mode! Hardy pounces in the distraction, but Bray pushes him away. Hardy falls on Bray to hammer away, then whip. Bray blocks and reverses only to run into a boot. Hardy sweeps and covers, ONE, so Hardy gets serious. He chants “DELETE! DELETE!” and grabs Bray, but Bray powers him away. He prepares Sister Abigail but Hardy fights out. Hardy hits back but runs into a lariat! Bray declares he is the wrestling God, but “where are my manners?” He forgot the house warming gift.

Bray slips out of the ring and pulls something out from under the ring: there were steel chairs under there? Bray brings one in, and goes over to the vulnerable Hardy. “Vanguard, initiate!” What? Initiate what? FIREWORKS!! Bray is startled, Hardy grabs a chair, and hits Bray with it! Over and over, hardy hits Bray, then declares this is the Deletion! Hardy keeps ramming Bray with the chair, to then SMACK him in the back. Bray goes running from the ring, and Hardy follows. They fight int he fields, the Face of Fear backing down into the “Dilapidated City.”  Bray hits back and has Hardy up against a world. But does this remind Bray of anything? It’s… It’s Sister Abigail’s home, thought to be burned to ashes by The Viper just a year ago.

But time to “wake up!” Hardy has a kendo stick and smacks away on Bray. Bray blocks, and takes the stick to hit Hardy back. Bray pins Hardy up against the wall, ramming him against Abigail’s home again and again. Then, with the rage left over from Randy Orton’s betrayal, Bray pursues Hardy into the night. “Where are you, Matt?” He follows Hardy into the “Land of Obsolete Men.” And Hardy teases him, appearing and disappearing from totem to totem. Bray chases and chases but cannot keep up with the wily Woken One.

Hardy frolics away, and Bray realizes his weapon is busted. Bray leaves the stick behind to keep up the hunt. Hardy turns things around on Bray, but Bray still fights Hardy off to kick him while he’s down. The referee checks on a gasping Hardy, but Bray does not let up, using a thick tree branch to clobber Hardy. Cover, TWO, so Bray rains forearms down upon him.

Bray drags Hardy up, then over to see “what’s behind door number one?” Hardy bounces off the steel door, and Bray stands over him grinning. The door opens, and another ring is found. Hardy crawls into the “Dome of Deletion”, but Bray keeps kicking him. Bray drags Hardy over to his piano, and uses a yurinagi. Hardy fights out, then bounces Bray off the piano and then a post. They stagger about, gasping and laughing all the way. Hardy grabs a ladder, takes aim at Bray, and batters his ribs with the steel! Then he drops Bray with one more ram before ramming Bray’s ribs while on the ground.

Hardy grins and laughs over the writhing Bray. He tries to decide between “Chair of Wheels” or the “Mower of Lawns”. Hardy goes with the Mower of Lawns! And rides~! But Bray spider-walks and stops the mower, to then boot Hardy and bounce him off his own vehicle. Hardy endures the hot engine against his forehead before Bray drags him into the ring. Hardy hotshots Bray back, and both men fumble to the apron. Bray kicks Hardy, and clobbers him onto the apron edge, before covering. TWO, but Bray simply enjoys hammering Hardy more. “I told you, Matt. This isn’t my Ultimate Deletion, it’s yours.” Bray drags Hardy “home” to finish this.

Vanguard One observes from the skies, and finds Bray carrying Hardy to the “Lake of Reincarnation”! Skaarsgaard, “it can’t end this way.” Oh but it can. Bray drags Hardy up and uses Sister Abigail, but Vanguard One interferes. Bray grabs the machine, but spares it for now. He grabs Hardy but encounters Senor Benjamin. “He’s got the whole world in his hands.” BROTHER NERO!

Matt Hardy returns, TWIST OF FATE! Cover, Hardy wins~! The WOKEN Wisdom triumphs after all, and now finishes things by pushing Bray into the lake! Benjamin helps Hardy retrieve “Bray Wyatt’s carcass”. But, Benjamin pokes around, and finds nothing. “Delightful. The Great War is OVA!” Wyatt is DELETED! What will Hardy do now that he has removed the obstacle to his triumph over the WWE Universe?

 

My Thoughts:

Raw was a roll for the last few weeks, but something didn’t quite go right for all of this week’s. The opening was really good, from Roman defying (fake) authority to Lesnar going off on him. Lesnar is going for the Heel in this, which is part of Operation Get Face Roman Over. While it didn’t get everyone on Roman’s side, if it even got 1% of the fans to dislike Lesnar/like Roman, that’s still good in my book. The Women’s segments tonight were interesting, as the action was good but the motivations in story are still wonky. Nia VS Alexa is confirmed, but WWE needs to learn to get away from Mean Girls stuff. WWE really shouldn’t be using pop culture as an excuse to have characters being petty bullies. With what Bayley said to Sasha tonight, I sense her eliminating Sasha in the Women’s Battle Royal as payback.

Strowman is great as always, and he practically solo’d The Bar here tonight. He claims to already have a tag partner, and a lot of people want it to be Elias, but I’m not so sure. Strowman has beat Elias up so much, why would either of them want to be on a team together? Strowman should want someone who can keep up with him rather than someone who will cost him the titles. The Revival VS Titus Worldwide was so filler, though, they could’ve left that for next week since it was only to allow Dash & Dawson to announce for the Men’s Battle Royal. For that matter, the time used there could’ve been given to something else tonight.

John Cena is always great on the mic, and that includes tonight. It’s actually a good play for Taker to not show up, it builds up the anticipation. Kane showing up was a nice surprise, though. He is (kayfabe) the person closest to Taker, but his choke slam really could mean anything. The Six Man Tag was pretty good, gives Balor Club some momentum to stay afloat while plugging the IC program. Rollins saving Finn keeps the Faces even in the race, but there’s time for things to turn around for Miz. The Rousey video package was great, but word is that she still appeared live in Dallas, which is good for appearances at least. As I said, if Revival-TitusWorldwide was cut out, Raw might’ve had more time to do both the package and her live appearance so no one misses out on anything.

Which brings us to ULTIMATE DELETION! For WWE’s first attempt at what Hardy did in TNA Impact, it was neither as bad as it could’ve been or as good as it could’ve been. Again, if it had a bit more time given on the show, they might’ve been able to do more. They definitely shouldn’t have taken that commercial break. Even though it was only a couple minutes, the fact Bray and Hardy started in a traditional ring at all seemed a waste. Luckily they moved away from there to make things more a Falls Count Anywhere match, but that still seemed a timid WWE take on what Hardy has been known to do. The Lake of Reincarnation should’ve been used more effectively, too, like Husky Harris crawling out from somewhere. Maybe next time it’ll be even more WOKEN, with more Brother Nero.

My Score: 7.9/10


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Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (4/19/24)

Prepare for Backlash!

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Did you know that challenger in French is still “challenger?”

In a WrestleMania rematch, AJ Styles takes on LA Knight in a #1 contender’s match, to challenge WWE Champion Cody Rhodes at Backlash in France!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

  • Undisputed WWE Championship #1 Contender’s match: AJ Styles VS LA Knight; Styles wins and will challenge Cody Rhodes for the title at Backlash.
  • SmackDown/WWE Tag Team Championships #1 Contenders Fatal 4 Way: The Street Profits VS New Catch Republic VS The Authors of Pain VS Legado Del Fantasma; The Profits win and will challenge A-Town Down Under for the titles.
  • Carlito w/ Zelina Vega VS Santos Escobar w/ Elektra Lopez; Santos wins.
  • WWE Women’s Championship: Bayley VS Naomi; Bayley wins, by disqualification, and retains the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

Undisputed WWE Championship #1 Contender’s match: AJ Styles VS LA Knight!

After fighting their way through Triple Threats, the Phenomenal One and the Mega Star meet again, YEAH! It’s a WrestleMania Rematch, the winner moving on to Backlash, YEAH! Will AJ Styles avenge his loss at the biggest WrestleMania ever? Or will everyone from here to France know whose game it is?

The bell rings and the two step to each other. The fans in Pittsburgh “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” and Knight lets Styles know it. Styles snarls, they tie up, and they go around. Knight puts Styles in a corner, the ref counts, but Knight lets off slowly. Styles kicks low! The fans boo but Styles headlocks. Knight pulls hair, throws body shots, then headlocks in return. Styles pushes Knight to ropes, powers up and out, then hurdles, drops and DROP- NO, Knight avoids the dropkick to BOOT, and LARIAT! Knight then TOSSES Styles out of the ring, storms out after him, and brings him to commentary. Knight SMACKS Styles off the desk! And again! And again!

The fans chant “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” with every SMACK, then Knight tops it off with one last SMACK! Knight drags Styles up and into the ring, storms in, but Styles KICKS Knight in the ropes! Styles reels Knight in, but Knight back drops Styles up and out! Styles flounders on the floor, Knight runs to WRECK him with a dropkick! Styles hits desk again and Steel City is loving “L! A! KNIGHT, YEAH!” as SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns and Styles soaks up the heat as he taunts Knight. Styles brings Knight up, but Knight fires haymakers! “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Knight backs Styles down, whips, but Styles ducks ‘n dodges! Knight ducks ‘n’ dodges, then DOUBLE CROSSBODIES collide! Both men are down and the fans fire up. Both men slowly sit up, crawl around, and then stand. Styles fires a shot, but Knight gives it back! The haymakers go back and forth, “YEAH! BOO! YEAH!” Styles staggers but he still ROCKS Knight! Knight ROCKS Styles again and again, but Styles throat chops! Styles fires off the Phenomenal Blitz, but Knight ducks the lariat!

Knight JABS, JABS, JABS, and DECKS Styles! Knight stomps a mudhole in at the corner, “YEAH!” Knight then runs corner to corner to KNEE Styles down! The fans fire up, Knight puts Styles up, and Knight ROCKS Styles. Knight climbs, but Styles ROCKS him back! Knight staggers away, but returns to spring right up! SUPER DUPER PLEX! Cover, TWO!! Styles survives that crash but both men are down again. The fans rally as Knight rises, and he brings Styles around. Knight reels Styles in, suplexes, but Styles slips free! Styles goes to a corner, ELBOWS Knight away, then goes up to QUEBRADA DDT! Cover, TWO!

The fans fire up as Knight stays in this and Styles starts losing his cool. The fans rally for Knight but Styles looms over him. Styles brings Knight up and in, but Knight RAMS him into a corner! Knight then scoops Styles, but Styles slips free to roll up, TWO!! Knight escapes, swings, but Styles dodges to PELE! Knight ends up in a corner, Styles runs in, but Knight puts Styles on the apron! Styles ROCKS Knight, springboards, but Knight gets under! Styles comes back, into a scoop and POWERSLAM! Then JUMP ELBOW DROP! The fans fire up with with Knight as he storms around. Styles rises, Knight winds up, B F- NO, Styles bails out!

The fans boo but Knight storms over. Knight drags Styles up but Styles HOTSHOTS him! And pokes him in the eyes! Then ROCKS him! And springboards, to PHENOMENAL FOREARM!! Cover, Styles wins!

Winner: AJ Styles, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contender to the Undisputed WWE Championship)

Styles bent the rules, but a win is a win! He will get his shot at the American Nightmare in Lyon, France, will this year’s Backlash be phenomenal?

 

The Bloodline arrives backstage.

The car pulls up, Solo Sikoa steps out in a suit, and Paul Heyman is there to greet him. Nice threads, Solo. Tama Tonga walks over and Solo says meet the newest member of The Bloodline, Solo’s MFT. The Wise Man is stunned. But Solo cuts him off to ask if Kevin Owens is here. Heyman hesitates and Solo asks again, is Kevin here? If he is, he’s probably already in the locker room. Then take them to him. Heyman obeys and leads on. There have already been changes to the chain of command, is there about to be a change to the landscape of SmackDown, too?

 

Nick Aldis is in the ring.

In a familiar scene to Monday Night Raw, there is a podium with something under a satin sheet. The SmackDown General Manager welcomes to Pittsburgh the Chief Content Officer, Paul “Triple H” Levesque! The fans fire up as The Game makes his way to the ring! HHH joins Aldis in the ring, gets a mic, looks around at the crowd as he revels in the cheers, then says, “On the heels of the biggest, most epic, history making, record breaking, epic, unbelievable WrestleMania of all time, we are here tonight, sold out, 15 thousand strong, Pittsburgh, PA! So let me say, welcome to SmackDown!” The fans cheer that!

HHH wants to take a moment to say that he thinks Adam Pearce and Nick Aldis are both doing great jobs at leading their respective brands into the future. Thank you to both of them. And when we talk about the future, we have to talk about the history made coming into the future. So when history is made, HHH wants it to be represented here befitting of those that make it. So Aldis, if we could, let us bring the… champions out here. Aldis says without further ado, the NEW SmackDown Tag Team Champions, Austin Theory & Grayson Waller. The fans boo as A-Town Down Under make their way, blue belts in hand.

Theory & Waller join Aldis and HHH in the ring, mics already in hand, and they soak up the heat from Steel City. Waller says this is huge. Monday, we saw the second place champions get new belts. And now A-Town Down Under will be presented new titles! Theory says speaking of truth, didn’t Truth think HHH was a magician? Well, who knows what magic trick HHH has to make these guys look better than they already do, but hey, give it a try. HHH says congratulations on becoming tag team champions, so he will show them what they will wear going forward. From now on, they will be the WWE Tag Team Champions.

Reveal! In the style of the Attitude Era and Ruthless Aggression Era belts, the solid gold shines. HHH offers a handshake, but Waller leaves him hanging to shake Theory’s hand! Aldis makes it clear to them. They ever pop off and disrespect HHH like that, here’s a real magic trick: A-Clown Down Under will disappear, permanently! The fans like the sound of that! Aldis snatches the blue belts away since they won’t need them, and speaking of disappearing, there’s a chance one of the following four teams will make their title reign disappear. That #1 contenders match starts right now! The fans fire up, but which team defies the odds to get some golden tickets to France?

 

Backstage interview with Naomi.

Kayla Braxton is with The Glow and says last week, she beat Tiffany Stratton to get this title opportunity tonight. Will the friendship with Bayley get in the way of this match? Naomi says no, of course not. Bayley’s her sister, and she needed help against Damage CTRL, so Naomi was more than happy to help. But in no way will friendship get in the way of this opportunity. It has been over two YEARS since Naomi’s last WWE singles championship match, and there is nothing that will get in the way of making the most of this moment. Now last week, Tiffy Time felt the glow, so that same energy keeps going tonight.

Naomi is also looking forward to next week’s WWE Draft, where she will walk in the NEW WWE Women’s Champion. Naomi is ready, but will she be able to best Bayley in Bayley’s first title defense?

 

WWE Tag Team Championships #1 Contenders Fatal 4 Way: The Street Profits VS New Catch Republic VS The Authors of Pain VS Legado Del Fantasma!

SmackDown returns as Legado makes their entrance, followed by Akam & Rezar with the Final Testament. Waller & Theory are on commentary, Waller admitting he wants any team but AOP, and Theory saying these teams are fortunate to have real superstars leading their division. In this form of Fatal 4 Way, only two teams are active, so the Big Strong Boi, Tyler Bate, starts against Montez Ford. They circle, tie up, and Ford headlocks. Bate powers up to pry at the hold but Ford clamps on tighter. Bate powers up and out, drops, but Ford leaps over! The fans cheer, things keep moving, Bate feints high to drop low!

Bate shows knuckle lock, Ford obliges, but Bate wrenches, baits and double pump handles to FLIP Ford! Cover, TWO! Ford gets up to sweep and cover, TWO! Bate steps over, La Magistrol, TWO! Ford gets up, dropkicks cancel out, and both men kip up! The fans fire up and the two reset. But then Humberto Carrillo sneaks a tag, before he DECKS Bate with a sucker punch! Ford dodges Humberto but Angel Garza holds the ropes open! Ford tumbles out,  Garza tags in, and Humberto sits Ford up. Garza runs in to KNEE Ford down! The fans boo, Garza drags Ford to a cover, TWO! Garza back suplexes, Ford lands out!

Ford tags Dawkins and he dodges Garza to FLYING ELBOW! Garza tags out to Akam, but then the Bruiserweight, Pete Dunne, tags in off Dawkins! Rezar tags, Dunne runs up but Akam LARIATS him down! Rezar DECKS Dawkins, then the AOP start clearing the corners! But Ford goes up to leap, but into an URENAGE! The fans boo but the AOP roar and soak up the heat. Waller’s worst case scenario might end up reality, but SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns and the fans rally as Ford endures a facelock. Ford fights up, pries at the hold, but Rezar shoves him to ELBOW him down! Rezar talks trash, Waller taunts the Steelers players sitting in the front row that they don’t really know what championships are, and then Rezar sucker punches Dawkins down! Rezar stands Ford up, Canadian Racks and bends him! Ford endures, the fans rally, but Rezar thrashes Ford around! Ford kicks and flails, he gets free, hot tag to Dunne! Bate sneaks a tag, Dunne GAMANGIRIS Akam and then NCR fire off on Rezar! The fans fire up, Humberto runs in, but Dunne dodges to SNAP GERMAN!

Bate & Dunne STOMP Humberto’s hands! Then BASEMENT DROPKICK! Garza runs up, but into the REBOUNDER GERMAN COMBO!! The fans fire up with NCR, but Rezar runs up! He grabs Dunne, but Bate says Bop up, BANG! Bate fireman’s carries Rezar?! But Rezar ELBOWS right free! Dunne GAMANGIRIS, Ford SUPERKICKS, and Dawkins ENZIGIRIS! Rezar wobbles, and everyone helps Bate gets Rezar up! BIG STRONG AIRPLANE SPINE! But then Legado CLOBBER Bate and Rezar! They BOOT Dunne, whip the Profits but the Profits reverse to TOSS Legado out! Ellering coaches Rezar while the Profits regroup.

Bate gets up, Dawkins ROCKS him! Dawkins brings Bate to the very top, but Dunne CLUBS Dawkins! NCR mug Dawkins but Ford joins in! They brawl, but AOP add on! Humberto finds Rezar to tag in, before the DOUBLE TOWER OF DOOM!! Bate’s the only one left up top, so Legado mug him! They double trophy lift Bate, to DOUBLE ROCKET LAUNCH him onto everyone!! Humberto then finds Bate, sunset flips and rewinds, Garza jumps, MISSILE DROPKICK DOOMSDAY! Cover, DUNNE BREAKS IT! “This is Awesome!” as all eight men are down around ringside, and Waller says this is gonna be easy pickings for A-Town Down Under now.

Dunne grabs Garza, Bate has Humberto, STEREO ANKLE LOCKS!! Grapevine for Garza! But Humberto BOOTS Bate onto Dunne! Legado is free, Ellering has AOP regroup, and SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns again and Rezar CLUBS Dawkins down. Rezar soaks up heat, taunts the other teams, then CLUBS Dawkins again. Rezar brings Dawkins up again, but Dawkins fires off body shots! Rezar KNEES low, reels Dawkins in, talks more trash, and lifts Dawkins up, to POWERBOMB! But then Dunne runs up to ROCK Rezar! Akam gets in to scoop Dunne and SLAM him on Dawkins! Cover, TWO! Rezar looks to Ellering and he coaches AOP. Rezar HAMMERS Dawkins, Akam tags, and AOP get NCR up! The fans boo but NCR RANA free to send AOP into each other! Ford jumps in, as does Garza.

All the teams realize, they gotta do something about AOP. So they all mug AOP! The fans fire up as AOP tumble out, but now who strikes first? Dunne runs up but Garza SUPERKICKS him first! Bate waistlocks Garza and Ford winds up, but Garza ducks so the BACKHAND hits Bate! Garza SUPERKICKS Ford, but Dawkins DECKS Garza! Humberto springboards to FLYING CHUCK! Cover, TWO!! Theory says if A-Town Down Under were in this match, he’d knock everyone out and Waller could just sneak in to cover. Humberto and Dawkins rise and go to corners. Humberto runs up, but Dawkins POUNCES him away!

Dawkins gets Humberto up, Ford returns and tags in! Dawkins Electric Chair Lifts Humberto and Ford climbs! The stars are out for the BLOCKBUSTER DOOMSDAY! Cover, DUNNE BREAKS IT! Another save from the Bruiserweight and Ford is frustrated. Dunne drags Dawkins up to CHOP, but Dawkins ROCKS him! Dawkins whips Dunne out of the ring, but Dunne grabs the arm! And he pulls off the glove so he can SNAP fingers! The fans fire up, but Ford ENZIGIRIS Dunne down! Ford brings Humberto up, Humberto JAWBREAKERS! Bate tags in off Ford, BOOTS Garza, then runs up, but into a POP-UP! But Bate RANAS Humberto!!

Bate then DUMPS Garza out, goes to the apron, and Dunne lines up targets. Bate and Dunne climb, Ford runs in, NCR DOUBLE ARIHARA MOONSAULT while Ford FLIES over the corner post!! Down goes Legado and AOP!! The fans are losing their minds as Bate hurries to get Humberto up. Bate puts Humberto in, reels him in, underhooks, but Humberto fights it! Humberto back drops but Bate lands on his feet! Humberto cradles, TWO! Humberto LARIATS Bate, tag to Garza! Legado gets Bate up, feed to the POP-UP KICK!! #FTY! Humberto then DIVES to take out Dunne! Garza goes up the ropes to LIONSAULT!!

But Ford flies in FROM THE HEAVENS!! The fans are thunderous as everyone is down again! Bate flounders, Dawkins tags in! Dawkins whips Legado, Ford joins in, THE REVELATION!! Cover, PROFITS WIN!

Winners: The Street Profits, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contenders to the WWE Tag Team Championships)

Waller & Theory are relieved it isn’t AOP, but they still look a bit annoyed that it is Ford & Dawkins. The Profits are Triple Crown Tag Team Champions from Raw to SmackDown to NXT, but will they soon add the WWE Tag Team Championships to make it a grand slam?

 

Backstage interview with Bayley.

Byron Saxton is with The Role Model, and brings up the emotional moment from Monday Night Raw where Rhea Ripley had to relinquish her title. But let us focus on Bayley’s title, as she defends it for the first time against Naomi. Where is her head at ahead of the main event? Bayley says after seeing Rhea vacate the Women’s World Championship on Raw, Bayley appreciates her reign more. She is focused, and she has realized she’s THE Women’s Champion in WWE right now, something she does not take for granted. Because we all know that with the WWE Draft, things are bound to change.

And as excited as Bayley is to face her friend, Naomi, one thing that won’t change is her as THE WWE Women’s Champion. Bayley is just as confident at Naomi, so something’s gotta give! Will The Role Model #FeelTheGlow? Or will she still be shining with gold after tonight?

 

Paul Heyman talks with Solo Sikoa.

The Wise Man apologizes that they haven’t found Kevin Owens, but he has to be here somewhere. Just look at the time. They will find him, somewhere. Solo stops listening and heads to gorilla. Heyman follows after, but Solo gives him a look. Heyman says he isn’t trying to upset Solo. Please believe him. The last person on this planet Heyman wants to piss off is Solo. But respectfully, Solo is making decisions that are not his to make, yet. One day, these will all be Solo’s decisions. But not now, not here! These are decisions that can only be made by one man. Solo asks Heyman if he’s done talking. Heyman asks if MFT is coming with Solo.

Solo just gives a thumbs up, with that taped thumb. The music hits and Solo makes his entrance, Heyman still following all the way into the ring. What does the Enforcer have planned? We’ll find out, after the break.

SmackDown returns and Heyman has the mic to give his usual introduction. And he doesn’t know if there is a list of the most brilliant backstage maneuvering politicians int he history of the WWE, but if there were, Heyman would have to think that he personally is in the top… Well, permit Heyman, with Solo’s permission, to explain what’s going on right now within The Bloodline, “the premier act in the history of WWE.” The fans chant, “We Want Roman!” but Solo shrugs that off. Heyman assures us that as The Wise Man for… Heyman gets emotional, so Solo just snatches the mic! The fans boo but Solo paces.

Solo tries to talk but the fans boo. Solo says last week, he had to lose a brother! He had to! It was in order for him to find a new one! His MFT, Tama Tonga! And with that, a bloodied Kevin Owens is tossed out, by the Good Bad Guy! Tama shoves Kevin down the ramp, stalks behind him, and referees rush out to stop him from doing anything further! Kevin can’t even sit up, but Tama steps over him to go to the ring. The fans boo as Tama joins Solo in the ring while the refs help Kevin to his feet and to the back. Tama raises his finger to the sky, because he acknowledges Solo! Heyman has no choice but to go along, but wait! Kevin is heading back down the ramp!?

The fans fire up as Kevin shows his grit and defiance! He drags Tama out to fire off hands!! The fans cheer but then Solo whips Kevin into steel steps! Solo drags Kevin back up, puts him in the ring, but now security rushes in! Tama storms in after Kevin but Kevin TACKLES Tama! The security gets Kevin away from Tama, but Solo SAMOAN SPIKES Kevin down!! The fans boo but then Tama SPLASHES Kevin! Tama rains down fists on that bloody wound, then he DECKS guard after guard! Producers try but Tama is a madman! Tama shoves everyone away so he can slip out of the ring, to grab a chair!!

The fans boo as Tama storms back in, but now Aldis steps up! Aldis warns The Bloodline here, and Solo has Tama stand down. Solo takes the chair from Tama to show they’re done here. The fans chant “YOU SUCK! YOU SUCK!” but the damage is done. Solo & Tama are a dangerous duo, will nothing and no one stop them from taking over SmackDown?

 

Heyman goes to the parking lot.

He’s in shock, but Aldis finds him and pulls him along. Was Heyman aware of this? Aldis shows Heyman the aftermath of one car T-boning another! And in case Heyman can’t guess, the struck car was Kevin’s. The attacking car was Tama’s! Heyman says this wasn’t authorized! No, Heyman, Aldis is speaking now. He gets this is a conflict within The Bloodline, but on his show, things are settle din the ring. Next week is the Draft, a lot of eyeballs on it, and a lot top brass are gonna be here. So Aldis will not tolerate this behavior. So make sure The Bloodline understands. Because, Heyman, if you don’t, the repercussions will be equally savage.

Aldis brings Heyman in close to tell him losing isn’t the only thing that has consequences. Will the Wise Man be able to rein in such an unruly force as Solo and Tama?

 

Carlito w/ Zelina Vega VS Santos Escobar w/ Elektra Lopez!

The LWO still doesn’t believe Legado’s claims that they had nothing to do with Dragon Lee going down before WrestleMania, so they’re going to get to the bottom of this one themselves! Will Caribbean Cool make the Emperor of Lucha confess his crimes? Or will Santos prove he was right all along?

The bell rings and the two talk trash. Then they start throwing hands! Carlito backs Santos down but Santos gets around to whisper something in Carlito’s ear. Carlito ELBOWS Santos away, runs up and hits a THESZ PRESS! Carlito then bumps Santos off buckles, fires hands, then has him in another corner. Carlito whips corner to corner, runs up, but Santos BOOTS him! Santos runs up, but into a SPINEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Vega coaches Carlito to stay on Santos and he brings Santos up. Carlito ROCKS Santos, whips, but Santos KICKS him! Santos runs, but into a DROPKICK! Carlito kips up and the fans fire up!

Santos is on the outside, the ref won’t let Carlito go after him, but then Carlito WRECKS Santos with a dropkick! Carlito loads up to PLANCHA! Direct hit on Santos and Carlito hoists Vega up to celebrate! The fans cheer the LWO on as SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns and Santos whips Carlito hard into buckles. Carlito falls over, Santos soaks up the heat, then Santos HEADBUTTS Carlito to a corner. Santos then CHOPS, gets space and runs in, to DOUBLE KNEE! Carlito slumps in the corner but Santos puts him up top! Santos GAMANGIRIS then climbs up! SUPER STEINER! Carlito flounders, Santos pushes him to a cover, TWO! Vega is relieved but Santos huffs and puffs. Santos rains down fists on Carlito, then clamps on a top wristlock. Carlito endures and Vega coaches him while the fans rally. Carlito rises, throws body shots, then LARIATS!

The fans rally as Carlito starts to rally with more clotheslines, and an ELBOW! Carlito kicks, runs, and KNEE LIFTS! Santos wobbles, Carlito LARIATS again! Cover, TWO! Santos is tougher than that but Carlito says he’s going up! Carlito climbs, but then Lopez gets on the apron! Vega storms right over to YANK her down! The fans fire up as Vega goes up, and RANAS, only for Lopez to block! Lopez SWINGS Vega into barriers! Carlito ROCKS Santos, steps in, but the ref is reprimanding Lopez so he misses Santos KICK ropes to jam Carlito low! Santos reels Carlito in to POST him, then brings him back for the fireman’s carry! PHANTOM DRIVER!! Cover, Santos wins!

Winner: Santos Escobar, by pinfall

La Madrina helps The Emperor steal this victory, them taking down the Caribbean Cool and La Muneca! Whether or not Legado beat down Dragon Lee, will nothing stop them from conquering SmackDown?

 

VIP Skybox interview with Damage CTRL!

Kayla is with Iyo Sky, Dakota Kai, Kairi Sane & Asuka as they sit way up in the back. What made the former WWE Women’s Champion and crew want a special view of this main event? Dakota takes offense for Iyo with the use of “former” there. Is Kayla trying to disrespect them? Iyo will take that title back when they’re good and ready. But for now, they’re here to watch two people they can’t stand tear each other apart! Does Dakota need to remind everyone here that DMG CTRL is still the most dominant force in the WWE!? The fans boo but Dakota says the Kabuki Warriors are STILL the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions, and that will not change-

WAID! Jade Cargill is here! She makes her entrance from the other skybox, with Bianca Belair alongside her! The strongEST duo argues with DMG CTRL, their own title intentions clear. But for now, it’s time for the main event! Who shines with gold here in the Steel City? We find out, after the break!

 

Cody Rhodes speaks.

The American Nightmare is in the UK as part of Raw’s tour, but he still took time to say, “What is the task? Run up the score, leave no doubt, right? Formerly, the task was ‘win the big belt, in the big place.’ We’ve done that. Now, it’s a whole new frontier for us, undiscovered country.” There’s an old expression: the title can make the man, or the man makes the title. Which will it be for Cody? He’s in London tonight, the O2, 16 THOUSAND, then it’s on to Belfast, Ireland. Cody is keeping his promise to bring this title all around the world. Back home, AJ Styles has emerged the #1 contender to this championship.

So then, it will be two Georgia boys duking it out in Lyon, France. The first time ever, at that. Styles has an unprecedented reputation in pro-wrestling. The modern day Excellence of Execution, if you will. Styles rarely misses. But the same goes for Cody. So Backlash in France, Cody looks forward to it. The contract signing is next week, even as the WWE Draft is going on! Will things be explosive when American Nightmare and Phenomenal One meet face to face?

 

WWE Women’s Championship: Bayley VS Naomi!

SmackDown returns and Bayley makes her entrance. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and either we shine or we glow!

The bell rings, the fans rally, and the two circle. The two tie up, go around, and Bayley headlocks. Naomi powers up but Bayley wrenches to wristlock. Naomi slips through, rolls Bayley up, ONE!! The fans rally as the two go again. Naomi waistlocks, Bayley headlocks to hit a takeover, and she makes it a cover, TWO! Naomi fights up to her feet, powers up but Bayley wrenches gain. Naomi waistlocks, O’Conner Rolls, ONE! Both women get up, Naomi ducks the boot but Bayley arm-drags her around! Bayley has the cording hold, the fans rally up, and Naomi fights to her feet. Naomi whips Bayley away, but Bayley runs her over!

The fans cheer and Bayley tells DMG CTRL she’s watching them, too. Things speed up, Naomi does the splits to duck under, then she comes back to kick from below! She drags Bayley into a cradle, ONE!! Bayley hurries to step over, LA MAGISTROL! ONE!! Naomi and Bayley get up, Naomi trips Bayley to jackknife, ONE!! Ghost pin, TWO! Both women hurry up, DOUBLE CROSSBODIES collide! The fans rally while both women are down, evenly matched in this chess game so far. Both women rise, and Naomi SHOTGUNS first! Then she runs up, uses the ropes to slingshot and BULLDOG! Cover, TWO! Naomi is frustrated but keeps her focus.

Naomi drags Bayley up, Bayley shoves her away. Naomi dodges the lariat to hit REAR VIEW! Cover, TWO!! Bayley survives but Naomi lets her know it was that close, and SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns again and Bayley whips Naomi to a corner, runs in, but into a BOOT! Bayley gets up, Naomi runs up, JAWBREAKER! Bayley ends up in a corner now, Naomi runs in, and she forearm SMASHES! Naomi then runs Bayley corner to corner for a BUCKLE BULLDOG! Naomi slips out to the apron while Bayley flounders, and Naomi climbs. The fans duel as Naomi CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO! Bayley is tougher than that but Naomi knows that. Naomi keeps her focus while DMG CTRL, Bianca & Jade all focus on them. Naomi ROCKS Bayley, tries the ropes again, but Bayley stops the bulldog to SMACK Naomi off buckles!

Bayley then reels Naomi in, SAIDO! High stack, TWO! Naomi is still in this and Bayley remembers Naomi’s tougher than that, too. Bayley drags Naomi into a drop zone, then goes up the corner! Bayley aims, to MACHO ELBOW onto knees! Bayley writhes, Naomi goes to the apron. Bayley stands, runs up, but into a ROUNDHOUSE! Naomi slingshots, for a FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Bayley survives and Naomi is stunned! Naomi refocuses, goes to the corner, and goes up to SPLIT LEG MOONSAULT onto knees! Bayley returns the favor and both women are down. Bayley shakes out the leg, stands and runs, to KNEE Naomi down!

Bayley hurries to put Naomi back in a drop zone, and then hobbles her way to a corner. Bayley climbs, to MACHO ELBOW!! Direct hit this time and Bayley covers, TWO!! Naomi survives and Bayley is frustrated. Bayley hobbles on the bad leg, leans on ropes while she catches her breath, and the fans duel even more. Bayley stalks Naomi, hooks her up, but Naomi PELES free! Naomi hurries to a corner, Bayley runs up, but Naomi goes up to sunset flip! TWO!! But into the BUTTERFLY LOCK!! Bayley endures, reaches out with her legs, but then she tucks to a cover, TWO!! Naomi gets up, both women throw forearms!

They both wobble, storm up, and Bayley eggs Naomi on. Naomi wants this, right? So hit her! Naomi fires a forearm, Bayley hits back! Naomi winds up to forearm, Bayley comes back with another! The fans fire up as the forearms go harder and faster! Bayley gets the edge, but Naomi SWATS one, to SCORPION KICK, and then JUMP KNEE! Bayley tumbles out of the ring, Naomi PLANCHAS! Direct hit and a hard one, both women are down on the floor! The ring count starts, Naomi stirs at 3 of 10. Naomi brings Bayley up, but BAYLEY2BELLY onto the desk!! The count is 7! Naomi flounders on the desk, but then TIFFANY ATTACKS BAYLEY!!!

Winner: Bayley, by disqualification (still WWE Women’s Champion)

Tiffany makes herself the center of attention as always as she ruins this main event! She dribbles Naomi off the desk, then RAMS Bayley into steel steps! Then she drags Naomi off the desk to POST her! Tiff storms back over to Bayley, puts her in the ring, then adds Naomi in, too. Tiff says sorry not sorry, but it’s Tiffy Time! Tiffy goes to the corner, for the PRETTIEST MOONSAULT EVER! Tiff flexes over both champion and challenger, having upset Bianca & Jade but having entertained DMG CTRL. But will Wrestling Barbie pay for pissing off the Role Model?


My Thoughts:

A great SmackDown that also acted as a WWE Draft go-home. Great match from Styles and Knight to open the night but also follow-up their WrestleMania match. Naturally, Styles wins because then he and Knight are 1-1 in 1v1 matches, and also natural Face VS Heel right there. Good promo from Cody Rhodes, that title match is going to be awesome. Awesome new looks for the WWE Tag Team Championships, though maybe too much gold. Nothing really pops when it’s all the same color, so they should’ve had silver on the WWE logo and the words, “Tag Team Champions,” but it’s still a great redesign.

We also got an awesome Fatal 4 Way tag match, with Theory & Waller decent on commentary. And pieces are falling into place for what I was thinking: Profits win the right to face Theory & Waller, we’ll surely get Lashley wanting the US Championship, we’ll get a good faction feud there as we approach those title matches. Also good continuation of the LWO VS Legado feud with Carlito VS Santos, and distractions of course helped Santos win. There’s gotta come a point where Carlito reveals it was him, Dragon Lee, it was him all along! Now, that would make like the third turn since the start of this rivalry (Santos to Heel, Andrade to Face and Carlito to Heel) but hey, the drama is heightened each time, and maybe Dragon Lee will actually get a win in this feud.

Great stuff in Bayley VS Naomi, as well as all the promos. DMG CTRL watching from the skybox, same as Bianca & Jade, was good stuff. The tag title match is definitely coming for Backlash, that will be great stuff. But I should’ve figured Tiffany would “ruin” the main event so that there won’t really be a choice between Bayley and Naomi. The Draft is coming, hopefully they think to keep all three on the same brand, and probably here on SmackDown, so that those three can have it out. I don’t know the chances of a Triple Threat for Backlash but it still feels possible. Though  at the same time, I don’t think they’d take the title off Bayley after only a month, so she’d probably use Tiffany against Naomi to retain.

And what wild stuff with this new, more vicious Bloodline. Solo is in a suit because he certainly thinks he is Tribal Chief already, given Roman Reigns did give him the nod as “Tribal Heir” a few months ago. And while Tama is the MFT, which everyone is already wondering what that even means, it’s clear he’s also the right hand man and a loose cannon at that. Without the Draft, it’d be pretty wild for Jimmy to come back and help Kevin against this new Bloodline. With the Draft, we could get Jey back on the same brand as his family and then he and Jimmy stand against Solo and Tama. But either way, it’ll be a wild ride in this new chapter and I’m all for it.

My Score: 8.9/10


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Andrew’s TNA iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 4.18.2024

Motor City Machine Guns either go out on their backs, or head to Rebellion as champs! Lets see how they finish their current run in TNA!

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No burying the lead here! The Main Event is The System versus Motor City Machine Guns, and it’s the Go Home episode before Rebellion! So we’re guaranteed a damn good tag match, and we should get either new wrinkles, or ways to keep the storylines cooking going into the Pay-per-View.

With all the rumors and innuendo about the Guns being on their way out, I think we all assume that MCMG is losing, but my inner fanboy is still excited.

Ratings:

  • Little Guido w/New FBI vs Hammerstone: Hammerstone wins via Torture Rack – SQUASH
  • LSG vs Joe Hendry: Hendry wins via Standing Ovation – SQUASH
  • Mustafa Ali & GYV vs Cody Deaner, Jake Something & Rhyno: Ali wins via 450 Splash – ** 3/4
  • Rosemary w/Havok vs Jody Threat w/Dani Luna: Rosemary wins via Spear – ***
  • Motor City Machine Guns (Chris Sabin & Alex Shelley) vs The System (Eddie Edwards & Brian Myers) w/Alisha Edwards: System wins via Roster Cut + Knee Party – *** 1/4

 

Results:

So we kick off the match with Josh coming out to commentary again to watch Hammerstone’s match. They really need a new way to try and keep heat without reusing the same tired gimmick of “ring side seat” to a Squash match.

Little Guido w/New FBI vs Hammerstone

Guido tries to shoot the half, but Hammerstone shrugs him off, lifts him like a child and runs him into a corner, few short shots and then just tosses him across the ring. Hammer gets a little distracted talking smack to Josh and eats a foot, but then tosses Guido with the ole Sack of Shit move and keeps working over Guido.

Hammer shoves Clayton, and provokes him to push him back right in front of the referee. She ejects them, Guido tries to take advantage but when he goes for the pinfall Hammer kicks out immediately and presses Guido out of thing through the ropes. Continues to dog walk Guido, puts the head gear on the ECW Original and then Torture Racks him while staring directly at Josh, and of course picks up the submission victory.

LSG vs Joe Hendry

Hendry cuts a little promo, mentioning the Fat Uncle Phil joke…something about shopping at the TOP Dollar Store. Solid mic work.

LSG is a damn good local talent, he’s been seen in ROH and AEW in the past (perhaps others, but that’s what comes to mind immediately for me), but we all know this is an enhancement match. A few nice chain wrestling spots early, but Hendry uses his power to stop the smaller wrestler, Sack of Shit into Standing Ovation and the match is over quickly.

Mustafa Ali & GYV vs Cody Deaner, Jake Something & Rhyno

Well okay, having Deaner ask the crowd if they wanted a 3v2 or their third member…RHYNO…is pretty much a no brainer in Philly. But at least the gimmick isn’t quite as cringe as I expected.

Jake starts with Zack Gibson and throws him around. Jake goes for the tag and Deaner asks the crowd who Jake should tag, and the crowd picks Rhyno. Rhyno Whips Gibson into a corner, Drake actually softens the impact, allowing Gibson to fire back, tag out, but Rhyno levels both GYV members and then even knocks Ali off the apron. Rhyno tries to call to the crowd to tag in Deaner and that goes over like a fart in church. He tags him in anyway, and the crowd is kinda dead and doing whatever it wants after the obvious ECW chants when Rhyno tagged in.

GYV take a couple lumps but they of course start to work over Deaner and capture some momentum. Solid tandem work from GYV, they cut off Deaner from making a tag and goad Jake a little to cause the ref to block off the babyfaces so the heels can take a few shortcuts. Cody eventually makes the tag to Rhyno, hot tag, he tries to set up the Gore but the GYV manage to stop him in his tracks and hit an Enzuigiri to daze the Man Beast, he falls to his corner and Jake tags himself in. Jake literally runs them all over, tags in Cody and Launches him from the Top Rope into Zack Gibson. Ali makes the save and Jake tries to get his hands on Ali, but the GYV keep throwing themselves at him, literally. The triple team finally gets the best of Jake, they hit 3 Dives and then post Jake, so they gather around Cody like hyenas.

They forgot about Rhyno, he’s set up for a Gore, he Gores Drake, Gibson and Ali take out Rhyno, but then Cody starts to fight back. Ali stops Deaner’s offense with an Avalanche Sunset Bomb, then hits his 450 Splash. Jake barely misses being able to break up the pin.

Rosemary w/Havok vs Jody Threat w/Dani Luna

Jody tries to start quickly with Shoulder Tackles, Lariats and Scoop Slams, and it does seem somewhat effective. Rosemary is having trouble finding offense against the intensity, but she keeps kicking out. Shotgun Dropkick finally gives Rosemary an opening, she goes into full mount and rains down strikes. Rosemary shoves Jody into a corner and Bites her in the corner. Jody tries to fight out, they go across and Rosemary catches her with the legs and puts her in the Upside Down. Splash in the corner from Rosemary, Exploder Suplex and Jody is eating a lot of offense.

Rosemary looks like she’s caught after she gets tripped up into the ropes and Jody goes for her Rope Knee into the German, but Rosemary dodges. Rosemary hits her own suplex and pulls out a beautiful Last Chancery! I haven’t seen her do that in a long time. Jody manages to fight to the ropes, Rosemary is a little slow to capitalize and eats a Pump Kick. Rosemary goes flying into the ropes, Jody hits the Double Knees into the German this time for 2, and they trade a few haymakers after that. Jody folds Rosemary with a low Lariat, Zombie rise spot a few times, Jody goes for a pinfall and Rosemary kicks out.

Havok jumps up on the apron, Dani meets her and they decide to step down, but the distraction was enough. Jody turns around and eats a Spear. Rosemary wins!

Motor City Machine Guns (Chris Sabin & Alex Shelley) vs The System (Eddie Edwards & Brian Myers) w/Alisha Edwards

Eddie and Shelley start off, and its a very simple slow start. Mostly an early stalemate, the typical Japanese style the TNA seem to love to employ. Starters tag out, but then Shelley with the blind tag, Sabin Baseball Slides out, picks Eddie’s ankle and sends his face bouncing off the apron, while Shelley sneaks up being Myers and they hit a tandem move before we cut to commercial. Off of the commercial it looks like Eddie and Myers regained control. But a nice Jawbreaker from Shelley sends Eddie falling back into the MCMG corner. Dragon Screws to both legs from Sabin and Shelley, and we get the Dragon Screw dissection spot for the Guns.

Myers gets sick of things, tries to get involved, but Simultaneous Figure Fours from the MCMG makes The System look silly. Alisha does the classic “push the rope forward” gimmick to assist Eddie in breaking the hold. She keeps chirping at Shelley until she finally grabs his foot. Shelley doesn’t take kindly, tries to grab her by the hair but she gets away, Shelley eats a strike and falls back to the ropes so Lish can just throttle him with the rope, Sabin walks over and acts like he’s going to PK her and the look of disgust on her face is hilarious, like “how dare he threaten to kick her”. Would I be mad is Masha decides to team with Lish and they win the Knockouts Tag titles? No, because the Knockouts Tags are trash. But I still prefer Lish as valet/manager.

Shelley starts fighting back after another commercial break, Eddie tries to cut him off, but Sabin clocks Eddie and Shelley manages to make the tag and Sabin comes in. Lights up both System members, Kick off Tornado DDT, into a Running Gamengiri. Eddie tries to counter but Shelley assists, tandem strikes, Double Baseball Slide into the classic MCMG spot 5 Hole Dive! Keeping up with the classics Shelley stacks the System members on each other and hit the Missile Dropkick/Flatliner spot. As the Guns are rolling, Sabin accidentally catches Sabin with his foot and The System take control! They hit their pieces of the System Overload spot, but Sabin kicks out. Roster Cut attempt from Myers, but Shelley is back. High Speed Dirt, Machine Gun Sandwich, but Lish grabs Shelley’s foot when they’re setting up Skull and Bones. Shelley gets dropped on the turnbuckle and thrown out, Sabin eats the Roster Cut followed up with Boston Knee Party and System retains!

Its a little weird to have had the two commercial cuts and the fact there’s still Nic Nemeth to follow. So it feels a little flat, I hope this wasn’t their swan song match, because it was nice to see some classic spots, but it was entirely too abbreviated. 

Nemeth comes out, goes into the crowd and finds a kid with a kendo stick and borrows a beer from someone, so he does a bit of a Sandman tribute. Moose cuts off his promo basically immediately. He throws out the “can’t beat the system” line again, and Nic rolls with the punches well. Moose uses a few cute analogies about Nic having a failure laden past, but Nemeth bites back and its really damn good. He says he can see it in Moose’s eyes that he thinks he’s getting in the ring with Dolph Ziggler, but no, there is no more old Dolph Ziggler, just the new Nic Nemeth. And Moose’s cool seems to be slightly shaken after those words. Good promo.

Overall Score: 6.5/10

So this was okay, if it didn’t end as strongly as it did, I would’ve rated this much lower. Two squash matches in the beginning, reusing the Josh comes out to the announce table to watch trope is boring, hell even Clayton’s shove to Hammerstone was super lame looking. The Deaner match was luke warm at best, but things picked up around the Rosemary match.

Lets also not overlook the segments with ASH & Xia, Jonathan Gresham’s whole deal and EY having to return to the violence/sickness/world class maniac, whatever you want to call it, were all great building blocks. This definitely wasn’t what I would call a strong Go Home, but it didn’t hurt things for Rebellion. The whole injury of Cardona was addressed, which honestly sounded weird since Jordynne basically said she was expecting them to have a backup plan so she has a backup plan. I don’t really like how that video package came across.

But who knows, all I know is, this wasn’t an awful episode, it just wasn’t really strong either.  Here’s to hoping Rebellion Saturday is still strong.


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